The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 defines anti-social behaviour as: “Acting in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as (the defendant).”
This definition is widely used by agencies involved in dealing with anti-social behaviour. It encompasses a variety of behaviours covering a whole complex of selfish and unacceptable activity. Incidents do not necessarily have to be criminal, nor do they have to be recorded by the police to be classed as anti-social behaviour. The key to categorising behaviour as anti-social is consideration of its impact on others.
The Home Office typology of anti-social behaviour categorises it under four core areas, according to whether the behaviour occurs in a public space, whether it has a direct or an indirect victim, and whether it impacts on the environment. Many of the behaviours and activities listed form part of environmental health practitioners’ regular caseload.